Current interruption indicating means for electric clocks



Nov. 22, 1949 w. J. OLIE CURRENT INTERRUPTION INDICATING mmus FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1'7, 1946 E VOF W. 3 J 32 R 23 E L m% Y B ATTORNEY bLlE Nova 22, 1949 W. J. INTERRUP CURRE 4 TION INDICATING ME FOR ELECTRIC CLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug 17, 1946 INVENTOR. WALTER J. Gus. BYAM d raz r-11,

Patented Nov. 22, 1949 CURRENT IN TERRUPTI'ON INDI'CA'IIN G MEANS FORjELECTRIC CLOCKS Walter J. Olie, Pequabuck, Conn assignor to- Haydon Manufacturing Company, Inc., Forestville, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application August 17, 1946, Serial No. 691,221

5 Claims.

This invention relates to clocks or other timing devices driven by self-starting electric motors which are adapted to be connected to an alternating current of commercial power and has for its object the production of a simple inexpensive device, associated with the electric motor which drives the timing mechanism, to visually indicate that there has been a current interruption in the power supply and to thus caution the observer that the clock may not be on time.

Aiurther object of the invention is to produce a signalling means which is mechanically actuated and therefore has no inherent buzz or hum as is often associated with the magnetic type of current interruption signal.

One embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a perspective view partially in cross section of the improved indicator and the associated electric motor shown with the various parts in their correct positions when the clock is receiving current; and

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing the positions assumed by the associated parts when thecurrent has been interrupted.

In the drawing, I represents a self-starting synchronous motor which may be of the type disclosed in Patent No, 2,353,305 issued to Arthur William Haydon on January 11, 1944. This motor is disclosed in said patent so that it is unnecessary to fully describe it herein. The motor comprises a rotor shaft I! mounted in bearings I2, said shaft being surrounded by an annular field coil I3. Pole pieces 54 and I5 are associated with said field coil IS in a manner described in the above mentioned patent. rotor I6 secured to shaft II is positioned at one end of the field assembly. The rotor comprises a spider I! of lightweight material and a ring is of magnetic material. A pinion I9 affixed to rotor shaft II drives the, hands of the clock or other indicating means through a train of gears, not shown.

Surrounding the rotor shaft IE and positioned between bearing I2 and the center of rotor I6 is a compression spring 20, which tends to urge rotor I6 away from the field coils iiito the position shown in Figure 2. A cover 21 encloses the rotor I6. A casing 22 and a dial plate 23 enclose the gearing and the indicating means.

Supported on the casing 22 parallel to and laterally displaced fromthe rotor shaft I I is a signal shaft 30. A sleeve SI rotatably mounted on shaft 30 has secured thereto at the end nearest the dial 23 a flat member 32 which comprises the F visual signal. The signal is painted intwo colors separated by the dotted'line shown in the figures. For example-the upper half may be colored red and the lower half colored to match the dial plate 23. As shown in the drawing, the member 32 is over-balanced sothat it will fall by gravity to the position shown in Figure 2 where the red portion will show through the aperture 33 inthe dial plate unless said indicating member is supported. A lever 34 secured to the opposite end-of sleeve 3| from the signalrmember 32 and adapted to rest on shaft II supports said signal.

When the motor (H) is receiving current the shaft I I is urged to the right as shown in Fig. '1 by the magnetic attraction between the field pieces I4 and l5 and-the rotor ring I8. With the shaft in its extreme right hand position, as shown in Fig. 1, the lever 34 is adapted to rest on said shaft and b -supportedthereby. and in turn through sleeve 3| support the indicator -32-afilxed thereto. If, however, there is a current interruption so that the rotor is no-longer magnetically attracted toward the field, spring 20 urges therotor l6 and the shaft II secured toit to the i extreme left handposition as shown in Fig. .2.

In this position the right hand end of shaft H is to theleitof lever and said lever is unsupported. Thelever 34 and signal 32 will therefore drop by gravity to the Position shown in Fig. 2, with the red. portion showing through aperture 33.

On the upper end of, lever 34 is a projection 35 adapted to co-aot with a re-setting lever having a lateral arm II which extends under projection 35 and on which said projection is adapted to rest when the current is interrupted, as shown in Fig.2. The opposite end of lever 34 from the projection 35 is bent toward the dial plate 23 to .form a cam portion 36. This cam portion 36, is vsodesigned that the-extreme upper edge of said portion is always closer to the dial plate .23 than the end ofrotor-shaft II. Thereiore, whenleverAll is moved upwardby the openator, arm .41 con c s projection 35 of. lever. lifting lever 34 and the, associated: ignal 32. If the motor I 0 is receiving. current so that the shaft II is in the right hand position as shown in Fig. l, the cam portion 36. of'lfever 34 contacting the right end of, shaft I I will push the shaft I I to the left until the lower edge of lever 34 has cleared said shaft at which time the shaft will again be returned to. its extreme right hand position by the magnetic pull on. the. rotor. Lever 40may be extendedso that its outer-extremi ris below the case of the clock in which case the operator need merely press upward on it to re-set the indicator.

It will thus be seen that the invention comprises a simple inexpensive current interruption indicator which occupies a small space in a clock or other timing device. While it has been described for use in connection with the motor described in the above mentioned Haydon patent, it is obvious that it may be used with any other type of motor in which the rotor may be axially displaced from the field structure.

From the above description it is evident that when the motor is receiving current the rotor and rotor shaft are in the extreme right hand position as shown in the drawing supporting lever 34 and the associated signal 32. When the current is interrupted, the rotor is urged away from the field structure by the spring 20, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, and the lever 34 and indicator 32 being no longer supported drop by gravity as shown. When the current supply has been resumed the signal will remain in the lower position until the ire-setting lever 40 is lifted, thereby lifting lever 34 so that the cam action of portion 36 of said lever pushes the rotor shaft away from the dial plate and the lever 34 may pass the end of said shaft. Shaft ll, because of the magnetic attraction between the rotor and the field of the rotor, is then moved to the right, resuming the position shown in Fig. 1. When the resetting lever 40 is released the lever 34 will again rest on shaft II.

It will be understood that while only one form of the invention has been described it is not limited to the form shown which may be taken as merely illustrative. The invention is limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a timing device, an electric motor, means for producing a magnetic field in said motor from a source of current, a shaft mounted for rotary and axial movement in said field, a rotor secured to said shaft so that it is drawn toward said field when current is flowing, means to move said rotor axially away from said field when current ceases; in combination with a pivoted indicator and a lever secured to said indicator and pivotable therewith, said lever being adapted to rest on said shaft when the rotor is close to said field, thereby supporting said indicator in one position and to fall from said shaft when said rotor is moved away from said field allowing said indicator to assume a second position, said lever havin a cam portion adapted to move said shaft axially when said lever is lifted.

2. In a timing device, an electric motor, means for producing a magnetic field in said motor from a source of current, a shaft mounted for rotary and axial movement in said field, a rotor secured 'to said shaft so that it is drawn toward said field when current is flowing, means to move said rotor axially away from said field when current ceases; in combination with a pivoted indicator lift said lever above said shaft.

3. A current interruption indicator for a timall) ing device driven by an electric motor, said motor having a rotor shaft mounted therein for rotary and axial movement, the magnetic field of said motor normally holding said rotor shaft in one lateral position when said motor is receiving current; and means to shift said shaft to a second lateral position when said motor is not receiving current; comprising a member pivotable on an axis generally parallel to said rotor shaft, said member being adapted to rest on a said rotor shaft when said shaft is in said first position and to drop below said shaft when it is shifted to said second position, said member having a cam por tion adapted to press against one end of said shaft thereby shifting it from said first position so that said member will clear the end of said shaft when said member is lifted; and a signal secured to said member and movable therewith.

l. A current interruption indicator for a timing device driven by an electric motor, said motor having a rotor shaft mounted therein for rotary and axial movement, the magnetic field of said motor normally holding said rotor shaft in one lateral position when said motor is receiving current, and resilient means to shift said shaft to a second lateral position when said motor is not receiving current; comprising a pivoted member positioned to be supported on said rotor shaft when it is in said first position and to drop below said shaft when it is shifted to said second position, said member having a projection on one end thereof and a cam portion on the other end thereof, said cam portion being adapted to shift said rotor shaft from said first position when said member is lifted; resetting means co-acting with said projection to lift said member; and a signal secured to said member and movable therewith.

5. In a clock having a dial with an opening therein, an electric motor, means for producing a magnetic field in said motor from a source of current, a shaft mounted for rotary and axial movement in said field, a rotor secured to said shaft so that it is drawn toward said field when current is flowing in the motor, and means to move said rotor axially away from said field when the said current is interrupted; in combination with a signal mounted in close proximity behind said dial opening and adapted to move in a plane parallel to the plane of said dial, a lever secured to said signal and movable therewith, said lever being adapted to rest on said shaft when the rotor is close to said field, thereby supporting said indicator in one position and to fall from said shaft when the rotor is moved away from said field allowing the indicator to assume a second position, said lever having a cam portion adapted to move said shaft axially when said lever is lifted, and means to lift said lever above said shaft.

WALTER J OLIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Wiedemeier Sept. 11, 1945 

